New club aims to increase acceptance at Fulton High School

New club aims to increase acceptance at Fulton High School

The rainbow was adopted years ago by the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and questioning) community as a sign of diversity and inclusiveness.

Founders of the new PRISM group - named as a nod to that symbol - at Fulton High School are hoping to accomplish much the same.

"Our goals are to provide a safe, supportive space for marginalized students, raise awareness of anti-LGBT harassment in school and in society, educate students and staff on topics that affect those who identify as LGBTQ, and create a more open-minded, tolerant and accepting school environment," PRISM sponsors Megan Youse and Jennifer Lee wrote in an e-mail response to a series of questions about the new club.

Youse, a P.E. and health teacher at the middle school and varsity volleyball coach at the high school, and Lee - a foreign language teacher at the high school - said the decision to form PRISM was prompted by students expressing a desire for some sort of support organization.

"We both believe that any school would benefit from a club that can provide a safe, supportive space for all students, but especially for those that are marginalized," Lee and Youse said. "Often students are seen as outcasts simply because of their sexual identity, orientation or even perceived orientation."